Honda Aircraft CEO Michimasa Fujino announced this week at the
European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) that
its production model is close to delivery.

When the aircraft does roll out, it will feature one of the most
unique engine layouts in civil aviation, with two GE Honda HF120
turbofans mounted on top of its wings. This design eschews the
conventional business jet layout that calls for engines to be
mounted at the rear of the fuselage.

By dispersing much of the engine's noise away from the
fuselage, the jet will save passengers from suffering the
same ear-shattering din as those unfortunate enough to be seated
in the last few rows of other rear-engined aircraft.

According to the company, the over-wing
engine design also gives the cabin greater usable space by
removing interior superstructure needed to support the
engines.

The aircraft's HF120 turbofans will carry the six-passenger
HondaJet to a top speed of 483 mph and a maximum range of over
1,300 miles. Honda's technical wizardry also shows up in the
jet's interior, with a state-of-the-art cockpit packed with
features like touchscreen controls, a trio of 14-inch displays,
and Garmin's G3000 avionics suite.

When it enters service, the $4.5 million North Carolina-produced HondaJet
will compete in the very light jet segment of the market against
already -established models like Embraer's Phenom 100 and
Cessna's Citation Mustang.